Hi Friends,
Sorry for the delay... but here is the requested next chapter in Tali's weekend with Grandpa Gibbs. There likely will be two or three more chapters in this story.
I hope you all like it and feel good about Tony and Ziva's decision about what to do with their little mischief maker. Thanks for reader and please leave a review for me! I appreciate all the feedback. ((Hugs))
Chapter Ten
Ziva and Tony walked along, hand in hand. Tony had the picture they had gotten done in the park under his arm in a protective tube. The couple stopped near the Eiffel Tower where the bridge with the locks of love were anchored to the fence.
Ziva smiled as she took in the scene. Couples of all ages were standing near the fence, affixing locks or looking over those already there.
"Can you hold this, Zi?" Tony asked, handing over their picture so he could get into a pocket.
Ziva took the picture without comment, staring at the beautiful sunset blazing behind the scenic background. The pinks, purples and oranges made the sky look like an impressionist painting canvassed above them.
Ziva felt the baby kick and she rubbed her belly.
"I know Little One, it is beautiful out here," she whispered to the little girl growing inside of her.
"Ziva, the love of my life, this is for you," Tony said, handing Ziva a wrapped box.
Ziva startled a bit as she had been so preoccupied in her own thoughts. She took the small box from Tony and carefully undid the pink bow and opened the box. Inside, lay a beautiful heart-shaped lock.
Ziva picked it up and turned it over. Inscribed on the back was the words: "Tony Ziva, Now and Always" Ziva turned the small lock in her hand and noticed something else in the box. A delicate, rose gold key on a chain. She picked it up and looked at Tony.
"The lock is for here, the key is for you so that you never forget you truly hold the key to my heart. My happiness is being with you and our girls, Zi. You've given me so much. I couldn't be happier."
With that, Tony took the necklace from Ziva and placed it around her neck. The key hung lower than Ziva's Star of David. They looked like they belonged together.
"Tony," Ziva said, kissing Tony softly. "You have done the same for me. I am so blessed to have you and Tali and this baby. Thank you. I will cherish it always."
Tony gave Ziva the smile he reserved just for her before taking the lock. The couple kissed again before finding a spot for their heart lock and affixing it to the bridge.
It was their last night in Paris. Tony had planned a dinner cruise on the Seine. He took her hand and led her towards the cruise pickup point.
—NCIS—
Sunday morning dawned and Tali was up with the sun.
"Aunt Abby!" the little girl shrilled way too loudly for the time of day as she hopped on her aunt's bed. "Ima and Abba are coming home TODAY!!!"
"Ugh," Abby mumbled from under her covers. "Too. Early."
Abby was quickly losing her patience with Tali despite her love for her niece. She loved to sleep in on Sundays and aside from the unwanted wake up call, Abby was feeling cranky about being grounded. Last night her bowling friends all went out to a movie and she hadn't been allowed to join them. To top it off, Tali picked a movie Abby had already seen multiple times then fell asleep 10 minutes into it.
Abby was about to start her day by getting out of bed in the wrong side when Gibbs walked in.
"I thought I heard some ruckus up here," Gibs said, plucking the girl off Abby's bed and placing her on his hip. "You may be a Marine one day if you keep up these early mornings, little miss."
"Ima and Abba are coming home today!" Tali's said as she settled into Gibbs's hold.
"I heard," Gibbs said dryly. "I know you're excited about it. But what have I said about jumping on the bed?"
Tali scrunched her face up and hid it in Gibbs's shirt.
"Talia?"
"Not to because I could get hurt," Tali mumbled, still not looking at Gibbs.
"That's right. You know better," Gibbs said in a soft bit stern voice. "So how about we go downstairs and get some breakfast and let Aunt Abby sleep some more?"
"Okay. Sorry Grandpa Gibbs."
Gibbs, already dressed for the day, simply kissed Tali's mop of brown curls and headed out the door, stopping just before he closed it.
"You're welcome, Abs."
"Mmmph," came from the lump of blankets on the bed as the door clicked shut.
—NCIS—
Tony and Ziva were about four hours out from home when they decided to call Gibbs for an update.
Ziva was sleeping on Tony's shoulder while Tony made the call with their boss-turned-father. Gibbs gave Tony the run down about Tali and her misbehavior since the pair were on their way home and it had already been dealt with. True to his word, Gibbs made it clear that he thought Tali had already been disciplined enough but that he would support whatever Tony and Ziva decided was best.
Tony listened as Gibbs gave him the short version of the whole fiasco, surprised Tali would take a dare to steal. His brow furrowed further as Gibbs recounted how he had spanked Tali and made her return the pencil and own up to her actions.
The father in Tony felt Gibbs had done the right thing and that Tali learned a hard lesson. The kid in Tony wanted to run in the other direction, wincing at the thought of a Gibbs spanking and a public apology.
Tony was getting off the phone just as Ziva woke up and lunch was being served. He smirked as she sat up and smoothed the blanket over her baby bump before pulling down the tray to eat.
"Is my baby ninja hungry?" Tony whispered in Ziva's ear, kissing her cheek.
"I do not know about her, but your adult ninja is starving," Ziva said, eyeing the food plates coming their way. "How are things at home? With Gibbs and Tali?"
Tony debated internally for a moment about recounting Tali's misadventures. He didn't want to stress Ziva but he also thought they should talk it over so they were on the same page when they arrived home.
Ziva was digging into her chicken and vegetables and looked so content. But Tony also knew she would appreciate hearing about what happened before they were picking up Tali.
"Sweet Cheeks," Tony started slowly. "Everyone at home is fine. Gibbs did have a little trouble with Tali but it's all resolved now."
"What kind of trouble?" Ziva frowned and put down her fork.
"Well, Zi, remember when the vending machine at work was essentially giving me free candy bars? And I saw it as a gift and you saw it…differently?"
"Tony! What are you talking about? Just spit it out!"
"Tali was dared by Madison to steal something so she stole a pencil from a hardware store. Madison got caught and Mrs. O'Neil called Gibbs but Tali was going to give herself up anyway. So Gibbs spanked her and had her take back the pencil and tell the manager what she did and apologize."
Tony watched Ziva carefully as he told her the story. Her eyes widened as she took in the information and she pushed her tray away.
"Tali? My Tali… stole? She is a thief?"
It was likely the hormones but the whole situation had tears coming into Ziva's eyes. She felt a myriad of emotions ranging from disappointment to disbelief.
"No, Ziva! She's not a thief!" Tony rebutted. "Okay, technically she WAS a thief. But she took the pencil back so actually she just borrowed it."
"Borrowed it? This coming from the man who stole chocolate from a federally-owned snack machine for months?"
Ziva's face was turning bright red as she talked. And then she leaped into a string of Hebrew words, which did not sound like friendly ones to Tony.
"Ziva, Sweet Cheeks, you need to calm down," Tony said, taking her arm and pulling his very pregnant wife into a soft embrace. "Tali is a kid. Kids do dumb stuff and get in trouble. She did something dumb. She paid for it. Right?"
Ziva began to relax in Tony's embrace. She realized Gibbs did handle it as they would have – once they got over the shock.
"You are right," Ziva said in a less stressed tone. "It is just hard to believe our little girl would steal – regardless of the reason. I blame you. It is your genes that make her so willing to accept a dare. I know it!"
"You're probably right, Zi. You know how I am about dares. I just wanted to talk to you about this now so we can decide what we need to do when we get home. That's why Gibbs told me now."
"Do?"
"Yes, with Tali. We need to talk with her about it. But we also need to decide if she should be punished by us. Gibbs said he feels she's learned her lesson but also said he will support whatever we decide."
Ziva was quiet as Tony talked. She pulled her discarded tray of lunch towards her again and began eating.
"I do not see what there is to decide, Tony. We trust Gibbs. He spanked her and had her return the stolen item. That is the end of it in my mind. Yes?"
Tony smiled and began eating his own lunch.
"Yes, Zi. I agree. A Gibbs spanking is more than enough to inspire angelic future behavior. As you and I both know."
Ziva smiled and shook her head.
"I do not know about that, Tony," she replied. "You seem to need pretty frequent reminders, as I recall. Let us hope Tali takes after her mother."
Tony just smirked. Tali definitely had Ziva's fearlessness and intelligence. But she also had her dad's curiosity and sometimes impulsive nature. Hopefully stealing a cherry scented pencil will be the worst of it, Tony thought optimistically.
He tucked into his meal and started a movie. Tony couldn't wait to get home to Tali and the rest of his family.